U.S. Farmworker Protection Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
Introduced
Summary
Limits the H-2A guest worker program to 400,000 certified positions per year and excludes jobs covered by a bargaining representative from that cap. It would slow the rapid growth of the H-2A program that Congress says threatens to displace U.S. farmworkers and depress wages.
Show full summary
- U.S. farmworkers: Seeks to protect jobs and wages by capping annual H-2A certifications at 400,000. Congress cites 384,865 certified H-2A jobs in fiscal year 2024 as part of the reason for the cap.
- Foreign seasonal workers: A 400,000 limit could reduce the number of new H-2A positions available when demand exceeds the cap in a fiscal year.
- Agricultural employers: Employers that rely on H-2A visas may face tighter access to guest labor during busy seasons if petitions surpass the cap.
- Labor organizations: Jobs covered by a bargaining representative that has filed an LM-2, LM-3, or LM-4 form and has a collective bargaining agreement are excluded from the 400,000 limit, protecting represented positions from the cap.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Limit on temporary farmworker visas
This bill would limit H-2A temporary farmworker visas to 400,000 certified positions each fiscal year. Positions an employer lists in the petition as filled by workers represented by a qualifying labor union would not count toward the 400,000 limit. A qualifying bargaining representative would have to be a labor organization that represents agricultural employees, has filed an LM-2, LM-3, or LM-4 (or successor) form, and has a collective bargaining agreement. If the cap is reached, some employers and H-2A applicants could get fewer visas.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Cosponsors
Pelosi
CA • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]
TX • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]
TX • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]
TX • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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